Bobcat Company is pleased to announce Ken Weber, strategic business unit manager, has been honored with the Patriot Award — an award presented to direct supervisors who support their employees involved in the U.S. Army National Guard or Reserve — for supporting National Guardsman Sergeant James Tindall.

The Patriot Award is made possible through a United States Department of Defense organization named Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Their mission is to reward and promote a culture in which American employers support and value the military service of their employees. The award reflects the “citizen warrior” through a wide range of measures including flexible scheduling, time off and pay compensation. Extended care may also be provided to families of the service member.

Bobcat continues benefits and salary, and provides recognition of service as well as support of the National Guard while the service member is called to duty. Recently, Bobcat Plant Manager Joel Jastram signed a Statement of Support (SOS) confirming continued support and reinforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Right Act.

Citation for the Patriot Award indicates that Bobcat Company and Ken Weber acknowledge the obligations of Tindall while he performs the National Guard mission. Tindall resides in Gwinner and attends drill with the 188th Vertical Engineer Company in Wahpeton.

Area ESGR volunteer David Rickford of Valley City, North Dakota, said employers have the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the guard and reserve, and that they appreciate the values as well as skills service members bring to the workforce.

“We are proud of our employees who are active in the armed forces,” said Rich Goldsbury, president of Bobcat Company and Doosan in North America. “We’ve always strived to support our military service men and women at all levels within Bobcat Company and Doosan. We are thankful for their service.”